BRISBANE Lions coach Justin Leppitsch says it's been one of his toughest weeks in the game, but believes he'll be a better coach for it.
Following Saturday night's 64-point loss to Gold Coast – the Lions' fifth straight – Leppitsch accused his team of not caring in the post-match press conference.
Hours later he was caught up in a heated altercation with reserves player Zac O'Brien that gained widespread unwanted attention.
After making a public apology on Tuesday and saying he was not proud of his actions, Leppitsch said the whole episode had been a lesson he would benefit from.
"I hope so. It will, let's be honest," Leppitsch said on Thursday morning.
"Everyone's human, everyone makes errors along the way and hopefully it's made all of us better for it."
Leppitsch said the bubbling frustration of being winless through five weeks would not railroad the Lions from their long-term vision.
"I've seen this cycle that many times. I've been at this club in '98 when we finished on the bottom and rose three years later," he said.
"It does turn quickly. These times happen in footy clubs. We know it turns and we're all confident.
"Everyone at the top (Lions hierarchy) has been around a long period of time and understands that as well. We're not hitting the panic button."
Leppitsch said the players had responded well from the dramatic week and were again confident of cracking their duck against Carlton on Sunday.
"We're a very young group. It's a matter of us being patient," he said.
"I might have said this last year, it's a patient job for an impatient man and I think that's what happened last week.
"I'm impatient, I want things to happen tomorrow like our fans, like our players.
"It is frustrating … we all want to win and that's it. We sat here last year 0-5 as well, but year two it's different.
"We're less experienced than last year but we're expecting a little more of our group. We've got a young developing group that need a loft of care and support."